diesel Cherokee unlikely. What about Wrangler?

[haven]

The advantages of diesel for expedition-style travel are (1) fuel economy/ increased range; and (2) more torque at low rpm, compared to a gas engine. Nobody should consider diesel because it saves much money.

The economics of the gas vs diesel depend on how much extra the manufacturer chooses to charge for the diesel, and how much more diesel costs than gas in your area. When comparing, Make sure you consider vehicles with similar trim levels.

Jeep charges $4500 extra for a diesel in a Grand Cherokee. The 3.0L diesel is rated at 24 mpg combined. The 3.6L gas V6 is rated at 19 mpg combined.

This week in California, according to government statistics, unleaded regular costs on average $3.92 a gallon. Diesel costs $4.12. So diesel has a 5.1% premium.

In a vehicle like a Grand Cherokee, a California driver who travels 12,000 miles a year would need to buy (12,000 / 19 mpg) = 632 gallons of unleaded regular. The cost would be (632*$3.92) = $2,477.

A Grand Cherokee diesel owner traveling 12,000 miles in California would buy (12,000 / 24 mpg) = 500 gallons of diesel fuel. The cost would be (500 * $4.12) = $2,060.

The California diesel owner would save ($2477 - $2060) = $417 a year in fuel costs. Not much of a savings, considering the diesel engine has more expensive oil changes (requires more oil). And the diesel owner will have to spend a few dollars refilling the DEF tank.

 

[haven]

Not all manufacturers charge extra for diesel. Mercedes, for example, prices diesel and gas engine models the same for the GLK compact SUV with AWD.

The GLK diesel is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined, the GLK with 3.5L V6 gas motor and AWD is rated for 20 mpg combined. That's 40% better fuel economy. So GLK diesel owners save money with every fill-up, plus enjoy the increased range and low range torque the diesel provides.

 

[Dan Grec]

The advantages of diesel for expedition-style travel are (1) fuel economy/ increased range; and (2) more torque at low rpm, compared to a gas engine.

and

(3) In some undeveloped/developing countries, diesel is more available than gas.
(4) An older, all-mechanical diesel is extremely easy to diagnose and repair. No computer is a huge plus.
(5) In many countries, diesel is cheaper than gas (see below)

Nobody should consider diesel because it saves much money.

There are a couple of reasons you can save money with a diesel on an expedition trip.

1. In many countries, diesel is cheaper than gas. Take Ecuador for example, where gas is $1.50/USGalon and diesel is only $1/USGalon. The savings will add up fast.

2. Expedition trips cover a lot of miles. I drove 40k miles on my last one, I expect my next one to be at least 3 times that, more like 4 or 5. So the pay off for diesel does make sense in the long run.

I realize not everyone is Overlanding internationally, but you did explicitly mention expedition-style travel, so I wanted to chime in.

-Dan

 

[SSF556]

Diesels are just way cooler than gas....end of thread.

 

[kojackJKU]

diesels are also more expensive than gas engines, to maintain, run and purchase (besides Merc). Diesel is more expensive than unleaded here.

 

[beanmachine314]

I had heard rumors 2016 was the year the suspected diesel Jeep Wrangler was to be introduced and I was waiting until then to purchase one but life happened and I ended up needing a vehicle sooner so I bought my current one with the anticipation of trading up if the rumor turns out to be true in 2016. If it happens I'm just hoping it's an option for all trim levels and not just the Rubicon. I'm not spending $10k just to be able to spend another $5k for the diesel.

IMO if they offered a JKU Sport, with the diesel upcharge 4.10 option and rear locker and had it priced around $36k to $38k it would be a huge seller for people that actually want to use it.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: YUP, for you world expeditioners--it's a good thing-

For us mainlanders--no benefits !

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO

 

[Comanche Scott]

I wonder what the percentage of diesels in the WK would be, if he only looked at the two models which can get the diesel?

I have little interest in the V6 diesel for the Wrangler. But, the i-4 diesel in the wrangler would be cool for a few reasons.
1). More room in the engine compartment to put stuff (like welder, OBA, batteries, crock pot)
2). Low end grunt for slow trail work
3). Driving range
4). Burritos cook much better over a diesel exhaust manifold than a gasoline manifold
5). Underpowered diesels tend to force a person to slow down and enjoy the trip.

 

[emkay]

The Diesel I4 engine bay is so crowded that we cannot even get a dual battery tray in it... sorry to say point 1 does not count

But I love my diesel


Sent via my bongo drums...

 

[kojackJKU]

point 5 is moot too, My underpowered Gas engine makes me do the same thing. ha ha ha. That being said, I only find it underpowered when trying to pass another vehicle on the highway. in the woods, trails etc there is plenty of power.